LUKA Pibernik made headlines during the finale of stage five at the Giro d'Italia - when the Slovenian celebrated victory a lap early.
The Bahrain-Merida rider had taken to the front of the peloton as it weaved through the double-circuit finish around Messina on the Sicily coast, before then breaking clear to cross the line in what he thought was first place ahead of the sprinters.
That awkward moment when you celebrate too early 🙈
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) May 10, 2017
A shocker for @Bahrain_Merida rider Luka Pibernik #Giro100 pic.twitter.com/AfWQAW1Ria
The 23-year-old held his arms aloft in celebrations, only to then realise he had in fact misread the finale of the 159 kilometre course, with a lap still to run as the bell rang and he was quickly swallowed back up by the peloton.
Colombian Fernando Gaviria then claimed a legitimate second victory of the Giro d'Italia after a sprint finish, with Quick-Step Floors team-mate Bob Jungels retaining the overall race leader's pink jersey.
Pibernik, meanwhile, eventually finished down in 148th spot, some 20 seconds adrift of Gaviria.
The Giro d'Italia will continue back on the mainland for stage six on Thursday, over 217kms from Reggio Calabria to Terme Luigiane.
Jungels will aim to again defend the Maglia Rosa jersey, six seconds ahead of Team Sky's Geraint Thomas and 10 ahead of Adam Yates (Orica-Scott) and last year's winner Vincenzo Nibali.
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